BRUSSELS — World No. 1 steelmaker ArcelorMittal will seek to fend off EU antitrust concerns about its proposed 1.8-billion-euro (£1.6 billion) purchase of Italian peer Ilva at a hearing on Thursday.

The European Commission launched a full-scale investigation in November over worries the deal might reduce competition for several flat carbon steel products and lead to higher prices for small- and medium-sized companies in southern Europe.

ArcelorMittal Chief Financial Officer Aditya Mittal headed a team of lawyers and economists at the hearing, which began on Thursday morning. Ilva Commissioner Enrico Laghi were also present.

Nobody from the Italian government was present, a government source told Reuters.

Commission officials at the hearing included Carles Esteva Mosso who is in charge of mergers, lawyers and economists.